WITTON discovered their neighbours to be in a wretched condition all round on Wednesday.

They called upon Runcorn, once among the finest non-league clubs in the country, in their lodgings at Valerie Park, Prescot, and found them with barely 50 supporters, a team shorn of its better players and very little hope.

Indeed one of Albion's goalscorers, Shaun Whalley, was among their recent defections.

But the star of the night was another former Linnet, the Runcorn-based Mike Moseley, who scored a hat-trick.

In the 13th minute Neil Hall had popped up in the box to twice contest for the high ball winning

possession. The ball then landed at the feet of Moseley who flashed his shot across the goal and into the far side of the net.

Seven minutes later Mark Peers scooted down the right wing before sweeping the ball in for dangerman Moseley to again apply the finishing touch.

Jon Worsnop was twice called into action as Runcorn rallied briefly, but opposite number Robbie Holcroft was worried by Moseley and Whalley in return.

Worsnop's huge clearance was pounced on by Moseley and his shot came back off Holcroft for

Whalley to claim his first goal in an Albion shirt.

After a few promising attacks were stopped because off dubious offside decisions the game crossed over into stoppage time. Moseley, ironically appearing offside, converted a Whalley cross for his 20th goal of the season. It was Albion's third win in eight days and their first league double over Runcorn since 1979-80.